SALT LAKE CITY, UT—The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) proudly recognizes outstanding leaders in emergency medicine during ACEP25, the world’s largest emergency medicine conference. The annual awards honor exceptional contributions to emergency medicine in policy, advocacy, research, education, and other categories.

James D. Mills Outstanding Contribution to Emergency Medicine Award

This award is for significant contributions to emergency medicine. The award is named after the late James D. Mills Jr., MD, the second president of ACEP.

Marilyn J. Heine, MD, FACEP, is an emergency physician in southeast Pennsylvania and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. Along with her long-time service on the ACEP Council and various ACEP committees, Dr. Heine serves as faculty for ACEP Scientific Assembly and has previously served as president of the Pennsylvania College of Emergency Physicians (PACEP), chair of the ACEP Federal Government Affairs Committee, and ACEP representative to the Core Quality Measures Collaborative. Dr. Heine received her undergraduate degree at Brandeis University and completed her medical degree at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. 

John A. Rupke Legacy Award

This award is for outstanding lifetime contributions to ACEP. In recognition of longevity and unwavering dedication to ACEP, the Legacy Award is given in honor of John A. Rupke, MD, one of the initial founding members of ACEP.

Stephen Anderson, MD, FACEP, is currently chair of The Naloxone Project Board of Directors, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring access to naloxone for all who need it. Prior to retiring from clinical care in 2022, Dr. Anderson worked at MultiCare Auburn Medical Center where he held several positions including chairman of Emergency Services, Stroke, Trauma, Education, and chief-of-staff. Dr. Anderson served as president of the Washington Chapter of ACEP and was elected to ACEP’s national board in 2014 where he served as secretary-treasurer and chair. In addition, he helped found the social emergency medicine section, the Access, Belonging & Community section, and the Exploring Retirement section and was appointed as an honorary lifetime member of the Emergency Medicine Foundation after serving as chair. Dr. Anderson received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Michigan and completed residencies at the University of Michigan and University of Washington.

Pamela P. Bensen Trailblazer Award

This award is presented to a current ACEP member for groundbreaking contributions to the growth of ACEP and emergency medicine. The award is named after Pamela P. Bensen, MD, a charter member of ACEP and the first woman resident in emergency medicine.

John F. McMaster, MD, FACEP, currently holds faculty appointments with the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita as well as the new Kansas College Osteopathic Medicine in Wichita and continues to provide professional services as a senior/HIMS FAA aviation medical examiner assisting the FAA in the evaluation, treatment, monitoring, and surveillance of pilots. Dr. McMaster has previously served on the Kansas State Board of Emergency Medical Services and the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts. Dr. McMaster has been active in ACEP’s Kansas Chapter since 1991, holding positions as president, vice president, and representative to the ACEP Council. He completed his medical degree at the University of Kansas and his residency at Louisiana State University Medical Center.

Judith E. Tintinalli Award for Outstanding Contribution in Education

This award recognizes an ACEP member who has made a significant contribution to the educational aspects of emergency medicine.

Scott D. Weingart, MD, FACEP is an emergency physician and professor of emergency medicine at Nassau University Medical Center. He is also an adjunct professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He is the editor-in-chief of the EMCrit blog and podcast. Dr. Weingart received his medical degree and completed his emergency medicine residency at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He then went on to fellowships in Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and ECMO at the Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. 

Award for Outstanding Contribution in Research

The award is presented to an ACEP member who has made a significant contribution to research in emergency medicine.

Joseph P. Ornato, MD, FACEP, is professor of emergency medicine and internal medicine (cardiology) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. He was the inaugural chairman of emergency medicine at VCU, started its EM Residency and Fellowships, and served as its chairman for 24 years. He is also an affiliated professor, VCU College of Engineering, Department of Computer Science, and medical director of the Richmond Ambulance Authority and Richmond Fire and EMS. Dr. Ornato received his bachelor’s and medical degrees at Boston University Medical School. He completed his training in internal medicine at New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital and cardiology at New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical Center. 

Outstanding Contribution in EMS Award

This award is for outstanding contributions of national significance or application in Emergency Medical Services. The award is not limited to ACEP members.

Robert Domeier, MD, FACEP, retired from serving as EMS medical director for the Washtenaw/Livingston Medical Control Authority but continues to occasionally perform EMS and research activities. Dr. Domeier served on the board of directors for the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians (MCEP) and as chair of the MCEP EMS Committee. Dr. Domeier was also an ACEP Councilor representing MCEP and served on the ACEP EMS committee. He graduated from the Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed his emergency medicine residency at Detroit Receiving Hospital. 

Colin C. Rorrie, Jr., PhD Award for Excellence in Health Policy

This award is for significant contributions to ACEP’s health policy objectives, or for demonstrating outstanding skills, talent, and commitment as an administrative or political leader. The award is named after Colin C. Rorrie, Jr., PhD, who served as ACEP’s executive director from 1982 to 2003.

Bing S. Pao, MD, FACEP, is senior director of provider relations for Vituity and a practicing emergency physician at Moreno Valley Hospital in Riverside County, California. He is an assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and on the teaching faculty for the University of California in Riverside. He is a past president of the California Emergency Medicine Residency Association, past chair of the Emergency Department Practice Management Association (EDPMA), and past board member of the California chapter of ACEP and the San Diego County Medical Society. Dr. Pao also served as an officer and board member for Physicians for Fair Coverage. He actively supports emergency physicians at the state and national level through ACEP’s Alternative Payment Model Task Force, Group Ownership Task Force, Accreditation Task Force, Balance Billing Task Force, and the Reimbursement and Steering Committees. He received his medical degree from Duke University and completed his emergency medicine residency at the University of California, San Diego.

Council Meritorious Service Award

This award is given for contributions to the growth and maturation of the ACEP Council.

Thom R. Mitchell, MD, FACEP, was assistant chief of specialty services at the Murfreesboro Tennessee Veterans Association before retiring from clinical practice in 2023. Previously, he was an emergency department director at Marshall Medical Center in Lewisburg, TN and acting medical director for Metropolitan Nashville General Hospital. Dr. Mitchell has held several positions in the Tennessee chapter of ACEP including secretary-treasurer and president. Nationally, he has served on several reference committees for the ACEP Council. Dr. Mitchell attended medical school at Cornell University Medical College and completed his primary residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a chief residency at Nashville VA Medical Center.

Policy Pioneer Award

This award recognizes early and mid-career members who have made outstanding contributions to ACEP health policy and advocacy initiatives.

Taylor Nichols, MD, FACEP, is currently the chief executive officer of Transitions Addiction Medicine Group and medical director at Transitions Clinic of Sacramento. He is board certified in both emergency medicine and addiction medicine. He was an advocacy fellow with California ACEP and subsequently served two terms on its board of directors. Dr. Nichols received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan before completing medical school at UC Davis School of Medicine and emergency medicine residency at UCSF-San Francisco General Hospital. 

Honorary Membership Award

This award is for outstanding service to ACEP or to the specialty of emergency medicine.

Janis Farnholtz Provinse, RN is a clinical nurse specialist currently serving as trauma performance improvement nurse coordinator at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Since 2004, she has served on ACEP’s Educational Meetings Subcommittee. She is an also active member and former president of the Bay Area Trauma Education Consortium and previously served as trauma committee regional director for the California Emergency Nurses Association. She earned her BSN from California State University, Hayward, and her MS from the University of California, San Francisco. 

Diane K. Bollman Chapter Advocate Award

This award is presented to an ACEP chapter executive or chapter staff member who has made a significant contribution to advancing emergency care and their ACEP chapter. The award is named after Diane K. Bollman, who served as the executive director of the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians for 25 years and was an honorary member of ACEP.

Janice E. “Jan” Reisinger, MBA, CAE, is honored with this award posthumously. She was the executive director of the Pennsylvania College of Emergency Physicians from July 2019 until her passing in 2025. She previously held roles with the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Ms. Reisinger was a member of ACEP’s National Chapter Relations Committee and chair of the Chapter Executives Committee. She was active in the Pennsylvania Society for Association Excellence, the American Society of Association Executives, the Juniata County Business and Professional Women’s Association of Pennsylvania. Ms. Reisinger received a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management and Master of Business Administration degrees from Eastern University and was a Certified Association Executive by the American Society of Association Executives.